For years, we have been planning to do the Ferryland Lighthouse picnic but due to our schedules and how quickly they booked up, we never made it there until this year. We booked about two months before we actually visited and we lucked into an absolutely beautiful day when it arrived.

Getting There

Ferryland is located on the Avalon peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, about an hour from St. John’s. While we followed the directions on their website, we misunderstood one aspect. We drove up over a hill and towards a dirt road, however, it appeared to only be big enough for one vehicle. We assumed that this was part of the walking trail, so we turned the vehicle around and parked near the water, then walked in the dirt road. Turns out that you are supposed to drive in there (you will eventually see a parking lot on your right!). We inadvertently added a couple kilometres on to our walk, oops!

You need to drive in this road!

Once you reach the parking lot, you can either choose to walk to the lighthouse or get a ride on a side-by-side for $10. The website states that the walk takes 20-40 minutes but it took us about 15 minutes. There is one hill at the beginning and then it is mostly flat, easy trail walking. I would caution you to wear comfortable shoes as there was some loose gravel on the hill.

The Picnic

With Covid restrictions, we were unable to enter the lighthouse but instead took a seat near a pick up sign outside. We called in to let the staff know we had arrived. It took approximately 15-20 minutes to have our lunch brought out to us after we arrived. From there, we were free to roam the property and find a place to enjoy our picnic.

Normally they provide picnic blankets but this year we had to bring our own. We found an area away from others and spread out our feast. The sun was scorching and we had an amazing view of whales frolicking in the ocean while we enjoyed our lunch. The only downside was the ants that seemed determined to enjoy our lunch as well, but that’s to be expected during a picnic.

We both had a homemade lemonade and chicken curry sandwich with orzo salad, while I had chocolate ganache cake and Jordan had carrot cake for dessert. The meals cost $28 + tax for adults and there are also children’s meals available for $14 + tax. We had a choice of three sandwiches (one veggie) and six desserts. We paid for our meal via e-transfer.

Lunch with a view!

Overall, it was a fantastic day and a wonderful experience and I would love to do this again in the future!

Staycation 2020: Your Guide to Twillingate, Newfoundland

Hi guys! As I mentioned in my last post, Covid has forced us to be tourists at home this year. We are now officially back from our staycation and I can’t wait to share it with you guys. I’ve decided to break it down into regions to make it easier for anyone who may be searching for ideas from Google. First up.. Twillingate!

I’m not sure if I visited Twillingate when I was younger but this was my first trip there as an adult. Twillingate is  an island located off the northeastern coast of Newfoundland that is connected to the mainland by a short causway. The population of Twillingate is roughly 2200 people but they normally see tens of thousands of visitors during this time of year. Our friends who traveled with us have been there previously and remarked on the noticeably quieter streets in town this year.

WHERE TO STAY IN TWILLINGATE

We stayed at Cricket Field Cottage, which we booked privately but is available on AirBnB. As we were traveling with our dog, we had to find a pet friendly place that could accommodate four adults. While this place was a little small, it was nice and quaint. We were able to sit out on the front deck and see the ocean, which is always a bonus. The beds are a bit on the small side, but I was very grateful that the rooms each had a fan to accompany the ocean breeze from the window!

Our bedroom at Cricket Field Cottage

Bedroom door .. how cool is this whale?

Other AirBnB Options in Twillingate..

The Drift Away Suite is located on the main road next to the brewery and market and has a gorgeous loft and ocean views.

Cozy Cove Chalet has amazing ocean views and would be perfect for families or groups.

The ocean doesn’t get much closer than at Grandma J’s Oceanfront Home.. wow! Also, this place is so cute that I’d like to move in there. That claw foot tub! The shiplap!

This place is called The Museum and it looks so cool! A traditional salt box style house with more of those gorgeous ocean views.

There are a ton of options on AirBnB for Twillingate (and surrounding area) as it’s such a popular tourist location but be warned.. they tend to book up quickly during the summer! I highly recommend booking as soon as possible. Even without the out-of-province tourists, we lost our original location due to not booking it fast enough.

Use my link to get a discount on your AirBnb!

WHERE TO EAT IN TWILLINGATE

Sansome’s Dockside Dining is located shortly outside of Twillingate in a community called Hillgrade. We heard great things about this place and we were not disappointed! It doesn’t look like much, but the views are worth looking past the decor. We ate inside as it was raining but the ocean was directly outside the window. If the weather is nice, you can eat on the deck which is actually over the ocean. The service was excellent, the prices were unbeatable, and the seafood was good. We started with calamari, and I had the seafood chowder (which was so full of seafood that it actually filled me up) and a lobster kaiser. Jordan had fish and chips with gravy. All that, plus a beer and a soda came to approximately $60 with tax, which is quite affordable for the amount of food we had.

Fun fact: they have a “pet” seagull named Tilley who would have gotten the remnants of my lobster roll if the crows didn’t get there first.

Our table at Sansome’s

The view from our table!

The first of many calamari.. and probably my favourite!

Hearty seafood chowder

Lobster on a kaiser

Fish and chips

Annie’s Harbour Restaurant couldn’t accommodate us the first night we arrived for supper, but we came back for lunch the following day. It was a nice day so we were able to eat on the deck, but they have inside seating as well. We had calamari to start, and I had the “screechin” chicken and fries, while Jordan had the shrimp and fries. I rarely order chicken in a restaurant but the Newfoundland Screech and brown sugar sauce sounded delightful (plus I had seen a good review!). The chicken was incredibly tender and tasty, albeit a bit sweet for my tastes. Service was a little slow here but the food was good so I’d still recommend it! They also carry Split Rock beer, just in case you don’t make it to the brewery! Lunch for two was roughly $55 with soda and tax.

Annie’s Restaurant

Crab dip and calmari

Screechin’ chicken and fries

Shrimp and fries

Crow’s Nest Cafe is located in Crow Head, just before you get to the lighthouse. We went there for lunch on our first day. They have a couple tables inside and outside, but we opted to take our food back to the AirBnB. They had one or two panini options, soup, and a ton of desserts. Myself and Jordan both picked up the chicken and sundried tomato panini and shared slices of cookie dough cheesecake and salted caramel cheesecake. We were also able to get good lattes there!

The view from outside the Crow’s Nest Cafe

Panini and cheesecake from Crow’s Nest Cafe

We didn’t make it to Georgie’s Restaurant but the menu looked good and a local resident highly recommended the fish tacos.

If you visit after 2020, I will also suggest Canvas Cove Bistro. Sadly they have chosen not to open this year due to Covid-19, but the photos of their food look amazing and they come highly recommended.

Lightkeeper’s Fudgery and Gift Shop is located just before the lighthouse. We popped in and grabbed some fudge while we were there. They also have a gift shop with souvenirs as well as a variety of ice cream.

Lightkeeper’s Fudgery

Speaking of ice cream… you must go to Lickety Split and get a partridgeberry sundae or a bakeapple sundae.. or BOTH. I had the partridgeberry and the tanginess combined with the sweet ice cream was amazing. Jordan had a Butterfinger flurry which was also good but trust me on this one.

The menu at Lickety Split

Partridgeberry sundae

WHAT TO DO IN TWILLINGATE

Split Rock Brewing Co. is one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Twillingate. I’m loving all the craft breweries that are popping up over Newfoundland and I have previously tried and loved their sour beer. Sadly, they had no sours available from their Sour Patch B’ys line up while we were there. However, I did try and enjoy the Combines Ale which was a nice alternative. They also have bar food food available at the Stage Head Pub but we didn’t eat while we were there.

Split Rock Brewing Co

Jordan’s beer flight

Auk Island Winery is an incredibly popular tourist destination in Twillingate. While the wines are not personally my favourite, I know the tourists cannot resist “Moose Joose” and “Funky Puffin”. You can do a tour and/or tasting for roughly $10-15 depending on the number of samples. They also have a gift shop and restaurant on site.

Wine wall

The Twillingate Artisan Market is my favourite type of store. It sells a variety of products made in Newfoundland, everything from scarves to shot glasses and suncatchers to sea salt. I went home with some Newfoundland Beer Vinegar, an iceberg magnet and a shot glass from Saucy Pots Pottery.

Long Point Lighthouse is incredibly scenic and offers panoramic views of the ocean. We didn’t go inside the lighthouse but they had a Titanic exhibit which sounded quite interesting.

Isles Wooden Boat Builders Museum & Workshop isn’t necessarily a place I would have visited myself, but our friend wanted to go and it was actually quite interesting. The downstairs of the buliding is the museum and upstairs is a wooden boat workshop. We talked with the local boat builder who taught us how he builds wooden boats. Each year, they sell tickets on a boat that he builds to raise money for the museum.

A boat in progress

Follow the progress on Facebook!

Back Harbour Beach was where we spent a few hours relaxing while we were in Twillingate. The water is freezing but it has a nice pebbled beach that felt private. We were able to take the dog there for a swim off leash which she thoroughly enjoyed!

Back Harbour Beach

Twillingate has a number of hiking trails, which I recommend you check out here. We had hoped to do a hike but we were limited with time and it was way too hot on the full day we had there.

Last but not least.. Twillingate is well-known for its icebergs and whale watching! If you aren’t local to Newfoundland, this is a must-do. Along with ice bergs and whales, you may also see puffins, dolphins, and a variety of sea birds.

Boat Tour Operators:

Twillingate Adventure Tours

Iceberg Man Tours

Iceberg Quest

Captain Dave’s Boat Tours

With only 1.5 days in Twillingate, we tried to fit as much as we could into our limited time. Sadly we had to miss out on some things but that gives us the perfect excuse to go back again next year!

Have you been to Twillingate? If so, please leave a comment below with your best suggestions for anyone who may be visiting the area!

This post contains affiliate links. 

Where I've Been...

The answer to that is, quite literally, nowhere. As with everyone else, Covid-19 has thrown a wrench in so many of my plans for 2020 (like my resolution to visit three new countries) and I’m trying to adjust to the “new normal”. I’d be lying if I said it was easy. I’ve spent a lot of time reading, playing Animal Crossing, and nelecting my poor little blog. It’s hard to blog when you can’t travel, go out to eat, or go shopping. Thankfully now we are allowed to do those things (with limitations, of course) so I’m hoping to get back to writing. To catch you up, here’s the latest on my life..

We are STAYcationing this year! We’ve moved our October 2020 cruise on the Celebrity Equinox to a new, unknown as of now date in 2022 (we already have another cruise booked for Fall 2021, vaccine-pending). We figured we may as well take advantage of being forced to stay at home and actually get out to enjoy our province this summer. We are heading on a 5-day staycay (or shall I say… “baycay”) very soon and I can’t wait to share it on the blog. As of right now, we are planning to travel to Twillingate and the Rocky Harbour area so if anyone has any recommendations, I’d love to hear them! We are also planning a trip to Ferryland to have a lighthouse picnic and an overnight in St. John’s to celebrate our wedding anniversary (where did that year go?!). We’ve already visited Trinity and Port Rexton for the first of many trips to come this summer.

Port Rexton Brewery

We are tackling some home projects. Nothing major, but we are currently in the process of getting our house fully painted. We’ve hired a professional for the main area and we’ve been tackling the other rooms slowly but surely. We have one bedroom left to go in the basement apartment and then it will be complete. We are hoping to sell this house within the next year or so and a new coat of paint makes it look so fresh and clean. Once we sell this house, I can’t wait to take you guys along on the process of building our “forever home”! This house was only meant to be a short-term plan and we have so many ideas for our next home. Step one: we need to figure out where we want to build it.

Mug from Ethereal Boutique

I’ve done a lot of shopping lately. I’ve been trying to support local businesses during this tough time, but I’ve also bought quite a few new items for summer. I’m planning to do an Instagram story post as soon as our living situation is back to normal. I’ve also become an East Coast Mermaid rep for the Sandy Toes Shop. Do yourself a favour and go check them out – they have the cutest line of east coast/beach life apparel. Plus, the tank tops are so soft and comfortable. I have a feeling I’ll be living in them all summer long!

East Coast Mermaid tank from Sandy Toes Shop

I think that’s all the news I have for now! What’s new with you guys? Leave a comment below!

Random Island Soapery Whipped Orange Shave Butter

I’m sure you’re all sick of hearing me complain about my super dry skin lately. While this winter has resulted in dry, itchy skin all over my body, I’ve become accustomed to having dry legs. For many years, the skin on my legs has been itchy and flaky (attractive, right?) unless I moisturize every day. I’ve been searching for a moisturizing shaving cream for a long time and I picked this one up at the farmers market before Christmas.

 

Random Island Soapery

Random Island Soapery is a locally owned business that hand makes soaps, scrubs, moisturizers, lip balms, and more! It was started by the owner, Cindy, in 2011 after trying to find a product to treat her dry feet. After trying everything in store, she decided to make her own product – which totally fixed her feet! From there, she decided to make a product to treat her children’s eczema, and found success in that as well.

Random Island Soapery Whipped Orange Shave Butter

The Whipped Orange Shave Butter is packaged in a small glass jar and contains just five ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil, essential and/or fragrance oil. It has the most beautiful orange scent and a delightful whipped consistency.

I’ve been using this product a couple times a week since Christmas and I’ve only used approximately 1/3 of the jar. A little goes a long way and it’s well worth the price tag, which I believe was about $15. Despite being in an open-lid jar that is exposed to water, I have not experienced any issues with mold, discoloration or bad odors.

So how does it perform?

As I mentioned, I typically use this twice a week, and a different cream the other half of the week. There is just a little more effort involved with using this versus a traditional shaving gel due to the packaging, so I don’t use it on days when I’m in a hurry! However, my legs feel 100% better on days when I do use it to shave.

The shave butter doesn’t lather but leaves a buttery film on the skin. Even after getting out of the shower, my skin remains hydrated and soft to touch. In fact, I don’t even need to moisturize with lotion on days when I use this shave cream! Using it just a couple times a week, my legs are no longer itchy or flaky.

The only downside to this product is that you have to be careful as it can make the shower very slippery! I usually try to warn Jordan before he steps in but he has nearly slipped a couple of times.

Overall, I highly recommend picking this up if you’re local and love handmade products in eco-friendly packaging. I can’t wait to try more products from Random Island Soapery in the near future!

Spruced Up Labrador Intensive Hand Cream Review

With every year that passes it seems that my skin gets a little drier. My job also requires frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer, which means that my poor hands are often really dry. Add in the cold winter air and I’m frequently left with red, cracked skin on my hands.

After many years of searching for the best hand cream, I can finally say I’ve found it. The Labrador Winter Intensive Hand Cream from Spruced Up Labrador is hands down (pun intended!) the most effective hand cream I’ve used. It comes as no surprise as Labrador is known for its brutally cold winters with average winter temperatures around -20°C/-4°F.

Spruced up Labrador is a small homemade business based out of (you guessed it!) Labrador. The products literally fly off their website as quickly as it is restocked, so your best bet is to join the mailing list to know when each restock will happen. I know they are planning another restock soon so keep an eye out!

Made of shea butter, argan oil and local spruce gum, this hand cream packs a punch of moisture. While the first two ingredients are commonly known, the spruce gum has a longstanding history. Typically referred to as “sap”, its history can be traced back to ancient Egypt where it was used to treat burns, wounds, ulcers, and more. Your average hand cream definitely doesn’t have locally sourced spruce gum in it, and that’s what I attribute the goodness of this one to.

I used to moisturize my hands multiple times a day but I only have to use this cream once every few days. My hands are soft, smooth, and have experienced no painful cracking thus far this year. I’ve also applied it to my arms and legs when they have gotten painfully red and scaly.Even Jordan swears by this hand cream and he hates using any type of cream. I will warn you though – it doesn’t have the prettiest scent. It’s very medicinal or herb-y, so probably best to apply it before bed.

I honestly wish I could buy a massive bottle of this! However, as I only need to use a small amount every few days, it will definitely last me through this winter. If you suffer from red, dry and cracked skin, I highly recommend trying it.

What I Bought in January 2020

January isn’t normally a month where I buy a lot of unnecessary items. Given that it falls right after Christmas, I usually don’t need anything or have any money left to shop. However, we actually made some big purchases this year. Obviously I’m not doing this to brag or whatever (I hate that I have to say that at the beginning). I personally just find these posts interesting & helpful! Post contains affiliate links.

1. First of all, if you follow me on Instagram then you know I picked up this adorable hat which was locally made and looks like it cost way more than it did! Give her a follow on Facebook and enter her contest to win one of your own! Or you know, just buy one.
2. We’ve needed a new sofa for a long, long time. Our animals absolutely destroyed our other sofa over the past five years but I really didn’t want to shell out the money for another one, especially as we paid a lot for the first one. Long story short.. we found a good deal on this one and bit the bullet. While I was initially quite resistant, I’m now very happy about it. Also, I don’t care if they are trendy or not – I don’t think I’ll ever not have a sectional. They are my favourite.
3. If that wasn’t enough, we picked up a kitchen island as well. We first seen it at a friends house and actually thought they had it built, only to discover it was from Canadian Tire! It doesn’t match our kitchen so I’ve debated painting it but regardless, it gives us some extra storage space as well as counter space. Plus the leaf is extendable, which makes it great for parties. We bought it on sale and it’s totally worth the price. It feels much more expensive than it is! For Living Kitchen Island.
4. I bought snowshoes (not this exact pair) from a coworker, however, I haven’t used them yet. Good intentions, bad follow through. Here is a similar pair from Amazon.
5. I accidentally bought the regular Marcelle Face Powder when I meant to buy the illuminating version. I also accidentally bought it in shade “medium”. Surprisingly, it actually works as it’s still quite transparent, even on my ghost-like skin. You get a ton of product here – I’m convinced I’ll be using it for the rest of my life. So far I like it but I still want to try the glowy version.
6. The L’Oreal Pro Glow foundation has been around for a while but it has taken me this long to try it. I love the Pro Matte version and I had high hopes but my initial thoughts were disappointing. I will definitely be testing it out again so fingers crossed that the second time is a charm!
7. I can’t even find the NYX Bare With Me Primer on their own site and I’m not sure why as I believe it’s a new product. There is a jelly version, however, this is the regular non-jelly primer. I’ve only used it once yet as I’m trying to finish my other primer first.
8. I was also in need of a new concealer, so I grabbed the Essence Camouflage + Matt Concealer for a change. This isn’t available on Amazon Canada so if you’re curious, go to your local Shoppers Drug Mart. It costs $5 or less and so far, I really like it.
9. Not pictured, but I also picked up a few items at the thrift store. I’m planning to show those on Instagram soon, so follow me there if you are interested!

Okay, that’s it for January! If there’s anything that you’d like to see a review on, leave me a comment below. Most of the makeup (except the powder), I haven’t really used it as I’m trying to finish up my other products first (nearly there!). Also let me know if you like this type of post or not! I like to keep track of my purchases and share my thoughts & opinions so I’d totally be down for continuing this each month if you guys are interested.

The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Local in East Coast Newfoundland

Following the Christmas season, January is a hard month for a lot of small businesses. Add in a weeklong state of emergency that forced businesses to close their doors and you can imagine the financial difficulties they may face this year.

I’ve decided to compile a list of local businesses on the east coast of Newfoundland as that is the area I am familiar with. If you can, pay an extra visit to one of these. Pick up a new outfit, take your significant other out for a nice meal, or grab a coffee from a local joint. If you can’t afford to do that, just give them a follow on social media, or recommend a business to a friend! Newfoundland really came together during the storm and I’d love to see that continue as we return to normalcy.

* I’ve placed an asterisk next to places where I’ve personally experienced great service and/or products

Dining & Drinks

Bad Bones Ramen
Bannerman Brewing Co
Blue on Water *
Curry Delight
Fabulous Foods *
Kimchi & Sushi
Landwash Brewery *
Mallard Cottage *
Manna European Bakery *
Newfoundland Cider Co *
Oh My Cheeses *
RJ Pinoy Yum *
Saucy Mouth *
Sushi Island *
Sushi Maki *
Sushi Nami *
The Adelaide Oyster House *
The Gypsy Tea Room *
The Indian Express
The Merchant Tavern *
The Sweet Newfie Kitchen *
Toslow
Waterwest Kitchen and Meats
Yellowbelly Brewery *

 

View this post on Instagram

 

OPENING TOMORROW 🍜🚨 @SushiNami #snowmeggedon2020 has been a challenge for us all. But we’re beyond thankful for our valued City Workers who have been going above & beyond since this all started, ensuring roadway safety. That’s why we’re offering City Workers: ✴️ FREE Stir-fry Teriyaki & Miso Soup ✴️ Ask your server or message us on Facebook, for more details! Opening at 2PM Sat. & Sun. (11:30AM Mon. – Fri.) * Dine-in only. ** Offer valid until January 31st.

A post shared by sushinami_stjohns (@sushinami_stjohns) on Jan 24, 2020 at 10:03am PST

Coffee, Bakeries & Misc Food

Bare Mountain Coffee House *
Bonabooch Kombucha *
Bonavista Coffee Company *
Butter Bakery *
Coffee Matters
Dough Bys
Jacobean Chocolate
Jumping Bean Coffee *
Moo Moos Ice Cream *
Newfoundland Chocolate Company *
Newfoundland Salt Company *
Port Rexton Brewing *
Rocket Bakery *
Sugar Mamas
The Parlour *
Tulip Baroo Bakery
Volcano Bakery

 

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⁣ This beautiful day calls for a new flavour! ⁣ Come by for a scoop of State of Emergency: a tiny replica of your car buried under an almost insurmountable pile of Tahitian Vanilla Gelato. We suggest grabbing some friends to help you finish it! ⁣ ⁣ #notactuallyaflavour #snowmageddon2020⁣

A post shared by The Parlour Gelato + Coffee (@theparlouronmilitary) on Jan 25, 2020 at 5:49am PST

Clothing & Accessories

Bellie Beth
Civic Duty
Clothes Minded
Dear Dawcy
Ethereal Boutique
Feather + Sprout
Figgy Duff Dory *
Fogtown’s The Side Shop
Hadley Rose Designs
Jewelry by Lori
Juniper Clothing
Melanie Jacqueline
Model Citizens
Opal + Onyx
Ragmaw
Relic
Saltwater Designs *
Screechin’ Youngsters
Sooley Designs
The Shop, SALT *
Twisted Sisters Boutik
Yellow Rose

 

View this post on Instagram

 

❄️ OPEN 11-6 TODAY!! ❄️ And our Buy One, Get One 50% off sale is still on! Come support local and get the smell of house off you! Can’t wait to see your faces today! 🥰

A post shared by Ethereal Boutique Inc. (@shop.ethereal.boutique) on Jan 25, 2020 at 3:18am PST

Beauty

East Coast Glow *
Goldie Beauty Bar
Pure Bliss
Rocks & Roots Co *
Salt Water Bath Bombs
Simple Solution Aesthetics *
SKIN Aesthetics Lounge
Soothe Spa
St. John’s Soap Works *
The Studio Beauty Bar
Tval Skincare *

 

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We are looking forward to seeing you! Just before #nlstorm2020 our orders arrived from @elatecosmetics & @eminenceorganics Come check it out @soothespa #downtownstjohns #organicskincare #crueltyfreeproducts #craftfoundation #nourishingingredients #cleanbeauty #ownyourbeauty #facials #relaxationmassage #bodywraps #manicures #pedicures #besoothed #beelated #ecoconsciousspa #refillablemakeup #naturalproducts #plantyourpackageflowersgrow

A post shared by Soothe Downtown Spa (@soothespa) on Jan 24, 2020 at 2:20pm PST

Pets

Brewkies *
Dudu Pets Plus *
Tag a Pet

 

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They say every dog has their person, I’m this handsome guys person. I also think every person has their dog and this guy holds my heart, I love all my dogs for all different reasons but Brewski was the O.G. Who started it all. #brewkies #lovemydogs #bernesemountaindog #bernersofinstagram

A post shared by Brewkies K9 Cafe & Spaw (@brewkies) on Jan 23, 2020 at 2:24pm PST

Miscellaneous

Adora Boutique *
Driven to Ink
Lemon and Lime Health Shoppe
Rise and Shine Nursery
The Bees Knees
The Grapevine *
The Healthy Vibe
Topmdrn
Watercolours & Pens *
Whink *

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Last day for 25% off all vases, planters and faux plants! CODE: STORM25

A post shared by Scandinavian Modern Home Decor (@topmdrn) on Jan 24, 2020 at 4:01pm PST

Leave a comment below if you decided to visit any of these places or place an order with them! I’d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to comment with your local favourites as well!

I am planning to start a “Local Love” feature on the blog where I visit local places and/or try their products and provide a blog post/interview. If you are interested in working together, please send me an email at hello@janineallison.com.